Swami Vivekananda's prayer to Kali at Dakshineswar
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Vivekananda's prayer to Kali at Dakshineswar is an event which occurred in September 1884 when Swami Vivekananda (then known as Narendranath Dutta), following the suggestion of Ramakrishna, went to the Kali temple of Dakshineswar with the intention to pray for financial welfare, but ultimately prayed for pure knowledge, devotion and renunciation. This event has been a subject of scholarly studies and is considered as a significant event in the life of Vivekananda, who initially revolted against idol-worship but now accepted and prayed before an idol of Kali. This incident added a new change to Narendra's devotion and knowledge.
Date | 16 September 1884 (Tuesday) |
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Location | Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Calcutta, Bengal |
Coordinates | 22°39′18″N 88°21′28″E |
Participants | Ramakrishna Swami Vivekananda |
Incident in brief | Narendranath intended to pray for financial welfare, but ultimately prayed for pure knowledge, devotion and renunciation |
Significance | Notable event and turning point in the life of Vivekananda |
After making three attempts to seek a blessing to remove his financial problems from mother Goddess Kali, he came out with the divine statement: "Mother, I want nothing but knowledge and devotion!"